On the second day of the New England Patriots training camp, notable advancements and strategic modifications became evident under the direction of first-year head coach Jerod Mayo.
One of the major developments was Jacoby Brissett taking over the first-team reps. Brissett demonstrated solid performance, completing nine of his 13 passes in competitive drills. His accuracy was slightly diminished during the 11-on-11 situations, where he managed to complete only two of his four attempts.
Following Brissett in the quarterback pecking order were Drake Maye and Joe Milton III. Both impressed the coaching staff with their efficiency. Maye shone in competitive drills, completing 10 of his 12 passes. However, his 11-on-11 performance wasn’t without its issues, as he experienced a miscommunication with wide receiver Tyquan Thornton and suffered from a drop by tight end Jaheim Bell.
Milton, chosen over Bailey Zappe for competitive drills, also showcased his skills by completing four of his six passes. Zappe, now demoted to the fourth quarterback spot, saw restricted action, completing two of his three throws during minicamp work.
Mayo addressed the quarterback situation with clarity, stating, “We’re always going to take the mindset of we’re going to do what’s best for the organization and we’re going to try to get those guys reps so they can compete.” He highlighted the ongoing competition, adding, “I don't know if that means four or three, honestly. Right now we have four quarterbacks and those guys will go out there and practice today.”
Aside from the quarterback shuffle, significant attention was centered on the offensive line's dynamic rotation. Calvin Anderson, Caedan Wallace, and Vederian Lowe are in contention for the right tackle position. While Mike Onwenu remains solidified at right guard, there was considerable variability on Day 2, with Lowe taking substantial snaps at right tackle. Additionally, Wallace and Anderson contributed to the left side, indicating Mayo's strategic experimentation to perfect the line-up.
Receiver Tyquan Thornton saw increased reps and targets during 7-on-7 drills, an opportunity to solidify his role within the team's offensive scheme. While Thornton appeared engaged, tight end Jaheim Bell's performance was marred by a drop during drills, an area he will need to address in the coming sessions.
Veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne's presence at practice, though sidelined due to recovering from a torn ACL, was a morale booster. Meanwhile, rookie cornerback Marcus Jones showcased his defensive prowess by breaking up a pass intended for Ja'Lynn Polk during the first competitive 7-on-7 period, signaling his readiness to be a key player.
The Patriots' cornerback positions also saw projected starters emerge. Christian Gonzalez is anticipated to secure one boundary cornerback spot, with Jonathan Jones likely covering the opposite side. Discussions between team owner Robert Kraft and pass rusher Matthew Judon about Judon’s contract status reflect the ongoing business behind the scenes, indicating a potential move to solidify the defensive lineup.
In other notable updates, Antonio Gibson returned to practice but saw limited activity, while DeMario Douglas participated only in individual drills, abstaining from the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 sessions. This phased return approach seems aimed at ensuring the players' long-term readiness and avoiding premature exertion.
Finally, a notable hiccup occurred during the afternoon drills when Antonio Mafi had a poor snap with Milton at quarterback, emphasizing the need for further refinement and synchronization within the offensive unit.
Overall, Day 2 of the Patriots' training camp reflected a period of adjustment and competition, with several players striving to capture the attention of the coaching staff. Under Jerod Mayo's new leadership, the team's direction appears focused on fostering a competitive environment where each opportunity is seized for optimal team development.